The Wiccamical Chaplet a selection of original poetry; comprising smaller poems, serious and comic; classical trifles; sonnets; inscriptions and epitaphs; songs and ballads; mock-heroics, epigrams, fragments, &c. &c. Edited by George Huddesford |
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INSCRIPTION FOR THE PEDESTAL OF A STATUE OF PRINCE FIELD-MARSHAL SOUWAROFF RIMNISKI ITALISKI. |
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 | The Wiccamical Chaplet |  |
INSCRIPTION FOR THE PEDESTAL OF A STATUE OF PRINCE FIELD-MARSHAL SOUWAROFF RIMNISKI ITALISKI.
A Hero, bred and born to kill;
Who scrupled not to shed his own,
When he lack'd other blood to spill.
On those within his bosom bred,
And quell by fire the mighty swarms
That with his life-blood he had fed.
In truth was little clean or nice;
And 'tis a question in his story,
Whether he kill'd more men or lice.
That demi gods and heroes made;
Slaughter, and knocking on the head,
The trade to which they all were bred.
In his march to the attack of Ockzakow, he proceeded with such rapidity at the head of his advanced guard, that his men began to murmur at the fatigues which they endured. The Marshal, apprised of this circumstance, after a long day's march, drew his men up in a hollow square, and addressing them said, “that his legs had that day discovered some symptoms of mutiny, as they refused to second the impulses of his mind, which urged him forward to the attack of the enemy's fortress.” He then ordered his boots to be taken off, and some of the drummers to advance with their cats, and flog his legs, which ceremony was continued till they bled very considerably. He put on his boots again very coolly, expressing his hope that his legs would in future better know how to discharge their duty. His army afterwards marched on without a murmur.
Souwaroff affectoit beaucoup de simplicité et de rudesse. On le voyoit quelquefois ôter sa chemise au milieu des Cosaques et le fair chauffer, en disant que c'etoit pour tuer ses pour. Vie de Catharine II. tome second, p. 373.
Potemkin envoye à Souwaroff l'ordre de prendre Ismail dans trois jours. Souwaroff se prépare. Le troisième jour il assemble ses soldats et leur dit: “Mes enfants! point d{e} quartier! Les provisions sont cheres.”—Aussitôt il donne l'assaut. Les Russes sont repousses deux foix avec beaucoup de perte: mais, enfin, ils escaladent les remparts, penetrent dans la ville, et passent tout au fil de l'épée. Quinze mille Russes et trente cinq mille Turcs payèrent de leur vie les sanglans lauriers de Souwaroff. Tome 2, p. 374.
| The Wiccamical Chaplet | |